Arsenal 28yo slams January transfer reports as baseless nonsense | OneFootball

Gabriel Jesus has shot down reports of a potential January transfer, suggesting they’re both baseless and nonsensical.

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In spite of his repeated refutations, Gabriel Jesus continues to be linked with a January move away from Arsenal, with Sky Sports claiming just last week that a number of Premier League clubs are interested in a move during the winter window.

Away from the Premier League, Jesus’ former club Palmeiras have also been linked with a transfer, with club president Leila Pereira stating her belief that the striker will be “coming back home” before long.

Yet Jesus has once again played down those reports over the last week, denying contact with Palmeiras or anyone else.

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Speaking to the media in Brazil, Jesus claimed that journalists have been talking about his situation without any basis, and it wouldn’t make sense for him to leave Arsenal in January.

“There was never contact with another club,” Jesus told Revista Placar (via Goal). “My wish, as I always say, is to return to Palmeiras. And Palmeiras also want me to come back.

“When I feel it’s the right time to go back to Palmeiras, I’ll decide that with Arsenal.

“But we’re talking about a player who has been out for nine months and is now fighting to return to the team. Some journalists speak without any basis.

“After such a complex surgery, it makes no sense for me to leave the club now.”

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A January stay has always felt like the most logical outcome, given Jesus’ long-term injury. Arsenal won’t get good value from a sale, and Jesus would have to settle with a new club at the same time as making his injury comeback.

There’s also not much in the way of sporting motivation, given Arsenal are performing well in all competitions. Jesus is unlikely to find another club primed for a success where he could play a more significant role after all this time on the sidelines.

With the World Cup coming up this summer, Jesus’ best route back to the team would be to get back into the Arsenal team, score some goals, and win some trophies to put him back in Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti’s thinking.